About Benchmark

Established in 2002, Benchmark Wine Group is the leading source of fine and rare wine for wine retailers, restaurants and collectors around the world. Based in Napa Valley, we acquire the most sought-after wines from private individuals and professional contacts. Our staff draws on decades of industry experience and is dedicated to providing exceptional service to all of our clients. Benchmarkwine.com offers 24 hour access to our cellar, displaying inventory in real time.

Benchmark Wine Group’s Vision

To be the first company professionals and serious collectors consider when buying and selling the greatest wines in the world; gaining the trust of our clients by providing an Exceptional Experience, every time.

David Parker

CEO/Owner

In 2002, David Parker founded Benchmark Wine Group after having a successful history of high-tech ventures. With a unique blend of talents, plus wine and high-tech industry contacts, he has succeeded in bridging the gap between high-quality wine producers and well-informed fine wine collectors and connoisseurs. An avid wine collector, David has been involved in the wine industry since 1987 owning commercial vineyards in Geyserville, California and in the Eola Hills of Oregon and is a partner in Parker Family Vineyards, Inc. He and his wife Sandy Sturrus Parker have four children and live in the Pacific Northwest.

Lindsay Smith

President

Lindsay is responsible for thinking outside of the box, leading the team with a smile and encouraging words.

The Napa native began her career in human resources at North Bay Bancorp, where she started as the corporate trainer and progressed to Human Resources Director. In 2007 she followed her dreams of owning her own business launching both Cake Plate Boutique and Lindsay Smith HR Consulting, where she offered her services as a human resource manager. Lindsay began working with Benchmark as a consultant but became passionate about the direction the company was going and joined the team full time in 2011.

Lindsay received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from University of Boulder, her Master’s in education from Dominican University, and is certified in human resources.

Kari Formento

Director of Financial Analytics

Kari is responsible for keeping the team within the lines and is a model that the proof is always in the pudding.

Kari started her career in the art world. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art and art history from UCLA, she worked at the Getty Museum as a docent. In an effort to pay her bills, she became the manager of the fine dining restaurant at the Getty Museum. She quickly fell in love with building the wine list and growing the wine tasting menu program.

Kari moved to Napa Valley to pursue a career in wine, and landed at Benchmark in 2005. Starting in sales and marketing, she quickly progressed into the acquisitions department. She prides herself in learning the fine wine business from the ground up.

Mike Sai

Director of Marketing

Mike started his marketing career at Hi-Tec Footwear, learning the business from the ground up with a small team that supported two unique consumer products brands. After nearly a decade at Hi-Tec, Mike decided to pursue his love of wine and took a position at Benchmark while relocating to wine country. Benchmark was not yet large enough to have a marketing team, but he eventually became our first Marketing Manager while guiding the company through rebranding and software projects.

After short tenure at a small Russian River Valley Winery, he rejoined Benchmark in 2014 with renewed perspective and is now leading marketing activities and website development.

Mike recieved his Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University.